About Zohaib Hassan

Legend of Pop Music

Zohaib Hassan Singer Pictures Interview Biography

Zoheb Hassan (born: November 18, 1966) is a self retired Pakistani pop icon, who left the music industry after the sad demise of his sister and sub-continental pop legend, Nazia Hassan.

Career

Zoheb Hassan was born on November 18, 1966. Zoheb Hassan is now CEO of B&H International Pvt Limited [www.bh.com.pk] one of Pakistan's leading media & entertainment companies and Director of Hassan International, a leading Pakistani real estate group with substantial holdings in the UK. He is also the Advisor to Governor Sindh and holds office at the prestigious Governor House in Karachi. Zoheb is presently organising Pakistan's 4th Media & Entertainment Expo www.mex.com.pk which held in June 2009.

Early career

He and his late sister Nazia spent their childhood in Karachi as well as London. In late 1970s, both siblings attended and sang at "Sang Sang Chalien" and "Kaliyon Ke Mala", famous musical shows for children hosted by the music maestro Suhail Rana. Ironically, in the early days Zohaib was not interested in music at all. Later he developed a keen interest in playing guitar and requested the famous musician Alamgir to give him guitar lessons. In mid 70s, Nazia and Zohaib's family shifted to London.

Nazia's professional career started at the age of fifteen when she provided lead vocals for the song Aap Jaisa Koi from the 1980 film Qurbani. Nazia was introduced to the film's director Feroz Khan by his friend Biddu in the United Kingdom. The song was a huge success in India and despite Nazia being a Pakistani, she gained overnight fame there. In 1981, Nazia won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback for Aap Jaisa Koi.

After the success of Aap Jaisa Koi, Qurbani became a big hit and Nazia collaborated with Biddu, a UK-based Indian music producer; who was also the composer of Aap Jaisa Koi, on numerous other projects. In 1981, Nazia became the first playback singer to release an album. Her first album was Disco Deewane. The album broke record sales in Pakistan and India and even topped the charts in the West Indies, Latin America and Russia. This album became a mega-hit and Nazia became an established pop singer in Pakistan. The album also had vocals by her brother, Zohaib Hassan.

After the release of Disco Deewane, Nazia and Zohaib were offered the chance to act in a movie by Biddu, but they refused to act and chose singing. Their second album Star/Boom Boom was released in 1982. The soundtrack of the album was used in the movie Star. Nazia made an appearance in the film, singing the film's title song, Boom Boom. The film did not do well at the box office but the album was successful and increased the popularity of Nazia and her brother Zohaib in Pakistan and India.

Their third album, Young Tarang was released in 1984. It was the first album in Pakistan to feature music videos. The album sold over 40 million copies. The album became Nazia's most famous and one of the most popular in Asia. Ankhien Milane Wale was the most popular song of the album. After the release of Young Tarang, Nazia returned to singing for Bollywood movies as a playback singer.

Nazia's fourth album, Hotline was released in 1987. Aa Haan was the most popular song of the album.

By the end of the 1980s, Nazia and Zohaib had become the most popular pop singers of Pakistan. In 1988, Nazia and Zohaib appeared with music maestro Sohail Rana in his television program, Sung Sung. In the following year, Nazia and Zohaib hosted the groundbreaking show Music '89. The show was produced by Shoaib Mansoor. It was the first-ever all pop-music stage show to be aired on television. The show launched the careers of many new rising bands and singers and became popular in Pakistan. Nazia hosted another show, Dhanak on PTV in the same year, 1989.

In 1991, Nazia and Zohaib recorded her fifth album, Camera Camera. Before the album's release, they announced during a launching ceremony that it would be their last album. The album was released in 1992. It was not as successful as their previous albums and received only average reaction. After the album's release, Nazia left her singing career to focus on her personal life.

In 1995, Nazia went on to marry. The marriage ended in divorce just before her demise on August 13, 2000. Zohaib took some time off from music, only to make a reluctant comeback as a solo artist with a soundtrack album Kismet in 2006. Notable songs include "Kismet", "Fashion" and "Jeena". Zohaib also acted in the serial, Kismat, aired on GEO Television.

Zohaib Hassan also sang for SAF Games in 2001 at the PTV Awards Ceremony (2002). He also sang a few songs with the singer Najam Sheraz, including 'Unn Se Nain' and 'Khubsorat Banao' (a song written by Nazia Hassan).

Personal life

Zoheb Hassan did his B.B.A from Richmond College London and joined his father's extensive business based in Pakistan and United Kingdom. He also started his own media company,B & H International, which has now become one of Pakistan's leading media & event management companies. His company has to date organised over 200 events in the past decade. Major annual events include Sindh Festival, Media & Entertainment Expo, Face of the Year,etc. He also organised a special Tribute Concert for his beloved super star sister, Nazia Concert at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground. Nowadays he is also the Advisor to the Governor of Sindh on Sindh Promotion. Zoheb married Gina in September 1998, and is a father of two daughters, Allyana and Amelia and one son Azmeer.

Zoheb's ancestors

Zohebís father Mr. Basir Hassan is a known businessman and his mother Mrs. Muniza Basir was an active social worker in her youth. Zohebís grandfather and Basir Hassanís father, Nawab Syed Saghiruddin Hassan was the Vice President of Muslim League, Delhi and owners of the 1st Ginning Mill in Multan, Pakistan. Some of their friends included Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and Justice Wajihuddin.

Zohebís great grandfather, Khan Bahadur Syed Basiruddin Hassan was very active in social work. He was the founder of Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, Governor of Lady Dufferin Hospital, and Trustee of Fateh Puri Mosque and built seven primary schools in Delhi.